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Word Count: 339


Love At First Touch


"This is so boring, Pep," Tony complained quietly. "I don't understand why you make me come to these things."

"You can't tell me you're not curious, Tones," she replied, smiling slightly at him. "I know you, you're a romantic at heart. You want to find your soulmate."

"Doesn't mean I need to attend the mixers every month," Tony sulked. "Why can't I be like most of the population of the world and just use an app?"

"Because you're you," she pointed out softly, and he sighed, because yeah, that was as good a reason as any.

Still, he'd lost all expectation of actually finding his soulmate, and he only came to these things now to humour Pepper. She did enough for him that he could do this one thing to make her smile.

Besides, she hated coming alone, and since she hadn't found her own mate yet, it made sense that he came with her.

It didn't take long for people to begin offering up their hands to one another, disguising it as an offer to dance, though of course it meant more than that.

Soulmates were an instant connection. As soon as skin met skin, it was love at first touch.

"Can I have this dance?"

Tony turned to see who owned the deep voice asking Pepper to dance, only to find himself face to face with a handsome man in dress uniform, his hand not offered to Pepper but Tony himself.

"I…" Tony swallowed hard but then nodded, slipping his hand into the offered one.

An explosion of colour happened behind his eyes, sparks flying, and he gasped sharply, the intake of breath almost painful.

"That's… potent," the soldier gasped, his hand tightening slightly on Tony's.

Tony nodded. "Yeah, it… it really is."

"I'm Steve. Steve Rogers."

"Tony. Tony Stark. It's a pleasure to meet you."

Steve smiled slowly, his blue eyes shining happily in the soft light of the room. "The pleasure is all mine."

And Tony fell. It really was love at first touch.


Written for:

Advent: Door: Theme: Love

Holiday Crackers: Paper Crown: Soulmates!AU

Stocking: 30. Postage Stamps: Expectation

Big Dinner Bash: Parsnips: "This is so boring."

Christmas Party: 14. Dancing

Insane: 56. Curious